Highlights :
The
archaeological heritage of India presented from a unique
perspective. Trip is accompanied by a specialist and can
be tailored to provide an overview or extensive detail.
This trip highlights the rich archaeological heritage of
India contributed by various empires, mainly by the Mughals and the British East India Company.
Day 01 Arrive Delhi
Arrive in Delhi, the capital city of India. After
completing formalities with customs and immigration, you
will be received by our representative with Traditional
Indian Welcome (with garlands).
Delhi is the capital of India since old times. Delhi's
history dates back to the first millenium BC, when it
was known as Indraprastha. The Tomar Rajputs built Lal
Kot, the core of the first of Delhi's seven cities. It
is the epicenter of the nation's politics, economy and
culture. History is alive and throbbing in Delhi, the
capital of India.
Afterwards transfer to your hotel for the overnight
stay.
Day 02 In Delhi
Breakfast in the hotel. This morning embark on the
sightseeing tour of Delhi and visit
Humayun’s Tomb -
Built in the mid 16th century by Haji Begum, wife of
Humayun, the second Mughal Emperor. This is an early
example of Mughal architecture. The elements in its
design - a squat building, lighted by high arched
entrances, topped by a bulbous dome and surrounded by
formal gardens - were to be refined over the years to
the magnificence of the Taj Mahal, Agra. The other tombs
in the garden include that of Humayun’s barber and the
tomb of Isa Khan. Lunch at Roof Top restaurant.
Sightseeing tour of Delhi
Enjoy Phat-phati ride (similar to three wheelers of
Bangkok known as TUK-TUK) from centre of the city to
Chandni Chowk.
Qutab Minar - A 73
metres high tower with 15 metre diameter base to just
two & half meters at the top. The tower has five
distinct storeys, each marked by a projecting balcony.
Although Qutab-ud-din began construction of the tower,
he only got to the first storey. His successors
completed it and, in 1638, Feroz Shah Tughlaq rebuilt
the top storeys and added a cupola. an earthquake
brought the cupola down in 1803. At the foot of the
Qutab Minar stands the first mosque to be built in India
known as Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque. Iron Pillar - this
seven metre high pillar stands in the courtyard of the
mosque and has been there since long before the mosque’s
construction and was raised in the memory of the Gupta
King Chandragupta Vikramaditya, who ruled from 375 to
413 AD.
Chandni Chowk -
The main street of Old Delhi is the colourful bazaar
also known as silver street. It is hopelessly congested
day & night, a very sharp contrast to the open. Walk
through the market to reach Jama Masjid.
Jama Masjid - The
great mosque of Old Delhi is both the largest in India
and the final architectural extravagance of Shah Jehan.
It has three great gateways, four angle towers and two
minarets standing 40 metres high and constructed of
alternating vertical strips of red sandstone and white
marble. Broad flights of steps lead up to the imposing
gateways. The courtyard of the mosque has a capacity of
25,000 people.
Purana Qila (Old Fort) -
This is supposed to be
the sight of Indraprastha, the original city of Delhi.
The Afghan ruler, Sher Shah, who briefly interrupted the
Mughal Empire by defeating Humayun, built the fort
during his reign from 1538-45, before Humayun regained
control of India. The fort has massive walls and three
large gateways.
After the sightseeing return to the hotel.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 03 In Delhi
Breakfast at hotel. This morning embark on the
sightseeing trip where you would visit Tughlaqabad and
National Museum.
Tughlaqabad - The
massively strong walls of Tughlaqabad, the third city of
Delhi, are east of the Qutab Minar. The walled city and
fort with its 13 gateways was built by Ghiyas-ud-din
Tughlaq. The fort walls are constructed of massive
blocks and outside the south wall of the city is an
artificial lake with the king’s tomb in its centre. A
long causeway connects the tomb to the fort, both of
which have walls that slope inward.
National Museum -
The museum has a good collection of Indian bronzes,
terracotta and wood sculptures dating back to the
Mauryan period (2nd-3rd century BC), exhibits from the
Vijayanagar period in South India, miniature and mural
paintings, and costumes of the various tribal peoples.
Lunch at hotel. Shopping tour. Dinner at village
‘Bistro’. Overnight at hotel.
Day 04 Delhi- Agra By Road
( Approx 210 Kms – 04 Hours )
Breakfast at hotel.
This morning drive to Agra.
Agra - synonymous
with the timeless beauty of the Taj Mahal - radiant at
noon & amber at dusk.
Sikandra - Just
before reaching Agra the tomb of Akbar lies in the
centre of a large garden. Akbar started its construction
himself but it was completed by his son, Jehangir.
The building has three storey minarets at each corner
and is built of red sandstone inlaid with white marble
polygonal patterns. Four gates lead to the tomb complex
: one is Muslim, One Hindu, One Christian, and one is
Akbar’s patient mixture.
Sikandra is named after Sultan Sikander Lodhi, the Delhi
ruler who held power from 1488 to 1517, immediately
proceeding the rise of Mughal power on the subcontinent.
The Baradi Palace, in the mausoleum gardens, was built
by Sikander Lodhi.
Arrive and check-in at Hotel Mughal Sheraton.
Upon arrival traditional welcome. Lunch at hotel. Visit
Taj Mahal.
Taj Mahal, the
world’s greatest love tribute: the Taj Mahal built by
Emperor Shah Jehan for his beloved queen Mumtaz Mahal.
Mark Twain said of this monument “You cannot keep your
emotions within bounds, when that soaring bubble of
marble breaks upon your view”.
The construction of Taj Mahal began in 1631 and was not
completed until 1653. Workers were recruited not only
from all over India but also from central Asia, and in
total 20,000 people worked on the building. Experts were
even brought from Europe, however the main architect was
Isa Khan, who came from Shiraz in Iran.
The high red sandstone entrance gate is inscribed with
verses from the Koran in Arabic. The central Taj
structure has four small domes surrounding the huge,
bulbous, central dome. The tombs of Mumtaz Mahal and
Shah Jehan are in the basement room. Above them in the
main chamber are false tombs. Light is admitted into the
central chamber by finely cut marble screens. The echo
in this high chamber, under the soaring marble dome.
Although the Taj is amazingly graceful from almost any
angle, it’s the close-up detail which is really
astounding. Semi-precious stones are inlaid into the
marble in beautiful patterns and with superb craft in a
process known as pietra dura.
In the evening witness Taj in one of the best moods. The
white marble looks like gleaming silver in the
moonlight. A sight which you will cherish and hold close
to your hearts for the rest of your life.
Dinner at hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 05 Delhi- Agra By Road
( Approx 210 Kms – 04 Hours )
Breakfast at hotel. Visit Agra Fort.
Agra Fort - An
impressive cluster of palaces, fortresses and mosques on
the banks of river. There are many fascinating buildings
inside the massive walls which stretch for 2 1/2 km,
surrounded by a moat over 10 metres wide. Moti Masjid,
the Pearl Mosque, Diwan-i-Am, the hall of public
audiences, Diwan-i-Khas, the hall of private audiences,
Octagonal Tower, the Masamman Burj, Jehangir’s Palace,
the largest private palace in the fort. The other
buildings to see are Khas Mahal, Sheesh Mahal and Anguri
Bagh.
Lunch at Howard Park Plaza.
Maharaja Tonga Ride:
The decorated Tonga ride from Mughal Sheraton. The
convoy lead by Drum beaters, musician blowing a
traditional horn to Taj Khema. Upon arrival Tea will be
served and while sipping you can view the Taj Mahal.
Thereafter, explore the craftsmanship of this Taj Mahal
city and witness the demonstration of inlay marble work.
Dinner at hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 06 Agra – Jaipur By
Road By Road ( Approx 255 Kms - 06 Hours )
Breakfast at hotel.
Depart by surface for Jaipur, stopping enroute at
Fatehpur Sikri: an abandoned city, once a glittering
imperial capital, conceived and built by the Emperor
Akbar. It is filled with red sandstone buildings,
mosques and courtyards. The pearl mosque here is
designed after the mosque of Mecca and is a fine blend
of Persian and Hindu architecture.
Continue your journey to Jaipur - gateway to Rajasthan
and a city ablaze with colour when latticed rose - pink
monuments vie with brilliantly turbaned men and vividly
costumed women for attention.
Arrive Jaipur and check-in at Hotel Rajputana Sheraton.
Lunch at Hotel.
An organized visit to the Carpet Emporium and factory
where you will witness the demonstration of the complete
process of making a carpet.
Dinner at hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 07 In Jaipur
Breakfast in the hotel. This morning embark on the
sightseeing where in you would visit the Amber Fort.
Amber Fort -
Located 11 kms outside the city, Amber was once the
ancient capital of Jaipur state. the fort is a superb
example of Rajput] architecture, stunningly situated on
a hill side and a overlooking a lake which reflectists
terraces and ramparts.
You ride up the ramp of this 11th century bastion atop a
gaily decorated elephants. On reaching the main entrance
of the fort an imposing stairway leads to the
Diwani-i-Am. Steps to the right lead to the small Kali
Temple and Sila Devi Temple. The Maharaja’s apartment
are on the higher terrace. Visit Jai Mandir, the Hall of
Victory, Sukh Niwas, the Hall of pleasure, with an
ivory-inlaid sandalwood door an a channel running right
through the room which once carried cooling water. From
Jai Mandir you can enjoy the fine views from the palace
ramparts over the lake below.
Lunch at Chokhi Dhani.
Choki Dhani - a
village comprising of a scene done to perfection. The
aroma of traditional Rajasthani Food, served here, is
enough to stimulate your appetite to its maximum.
Besides food it offers your eyes a scene of a Rajasthan
Village where puppet show, dance & music are a regular
feature.
Sightseeing tour of Jaipur city and visit.
City Palace - In
the heart of old city, the City Palace occupies a large
area divided into series of courtyards, garden and
buildings.
The seven -storey Chandra Mahal is the centre of the
palace and commands fine views over the gardens and the
 city. The first floor of the Chandra Mahal forms the
Maharaja Sawai Mansingh II Museum having an extensive
collection of art, carpets, enamelware and Old weapons.
the paintings include miniatures of the Rajasthani,
Mughal and Persian schools.
The armory has a collection of guns and swords dating
back to the 15th century, as well as many of the
ingenious and tricky weapons for which warrior Rajputs
were famous. Other points of interest are Diwan-i-khas
and clock tower.
Jantar Mantar or Observatory -
Adjacent to the City Palace is the Jantar Mantar, built
by Jai Singh in 1728. Jai Singh’s passion for astronomy
was more notable than his prowess as a warrior. This is
the largest and the best preserved of the five built by
him. Each sculpture at the observatory has a specific
purpose, such as measuring the position of the stars,
altitudes and azimuths, or calculating eclipse. The most
striking instrument is the sundial with its
30-meter-high gnome. The shadow it casts moves upto four
meter an hour.
Hawa Mahal or Palace of winds - Built in 1799, Palace of
winds, is one of Jaipur’s major landmarks, although it
is actually little more than facade. This five - storey
building, which looks out over the main street building,
of the old city, is a stunning example of Rajput
artistry with its pink, semi-octagonal and delicately
honeycombed sandstone windows. It was originally built
to enable ladies of the royal household to watch the
everybody life and processions of the city.
Time free for shopping. Dinner at hotel. Overnight at
hotel.
Day 08 In Jaipur
Breakfast at Hotel.
Visit to the Nahargarh Fort and Jaigarh Fort.
Nahargarh fort -
also known as Tiger fort which overlooks the city from a
sheer ridge. The fort was built in 1734 and extended in
1868.
Jaigarh Fort - The
imposing fort, built in 1726 by Jai Singh. the fort is
famous for canon, water reservoirs, residential areas
and puppet theatre.
Lunch at Hotel. Visit to Albert hall.
Albert hall - The
museum is housed in the architecturally impressive
Albert Hall in the Ram Niwas gardens, south of the old
city. The upper floor contains portraits of the Jaipur
Maharajas and many other miniatures and artworks. The
ground floor has a collection of costumes and woodwork
from different parts of Rajasthan and a description of
the people and life in the rural areas of the state. The
collection, which started in 1833, is also notable for
its brassware, Jewellery and pottery.
Time free for shopping. Dinner at hotel.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 09 Jaipur
Breakfast at hotel.
Shopping tour.
Jaipur is a major gems and jewellery centre where one
can find some of the finest Jewellery besides carpets
and
 cotton rugs, hand-block printed Sanganeri & Bagru
cotton fabrics.
Lunch at hotel.
Time free for independent activities.
Dinner at Chokhi Dhani.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 10 Jaipur – Manesar By
Road ( Approx 240 Kms / 05 Hours )
Breakfast at hotel . This morning depart or Manesar
Arrive and check-in at hotel. Lunch at resort.
Relax by the poolside. Cultural programme followed by
dinner.
Late evening transfer to International airport to board
flight for onward destination.
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